I have just had an idea. I would like to make a slide show of pictures showing one of our Group Builds. This being the Centenary year of the RAF, the 2016 Group Build would be most appropriate. I am therefore asking all those concerned if I may use your photoes in this way. I am always fascinated by the care and ingenuity that goes into these beautiful models and I am sure folk at Twyford who are not on this Forum will be amazed at what can be done.So, VV, Wanderer, Babs, 266, Archie and Tiff, may I use your pictures for this? Archie, did you ever finish your S.E.5a?

If there's one thing certain in this uncertain world it is that Algy won't go home without us.

Spitfire666 wrote:I have just had an idea. I would like to make a slide show of pictures showing one of our Group Builds. This being the Centenary year of the RAF, the 2016 Group Build would be most appropriate. I am therefore asking all those concerned if I may use your photoes in this way. I am always fascinated by the care and ingenuity that goes into these beautiful models and I am sure folk at Twyford who are not on this Forum will be amazed at what can be done.So, VV, Wanderer, Babs, 266, Archie and Tiff, may I use your pictures for this? Archie, did you ever finish your S.E.5a?

That is an excellent idea, S666. Something different.

The Decision to Survive - A good pilot is both born and made. The best would look upon his work as a combination of adventure and a serious mission. – Major General Sir Frederick Sykes

No problems here. I hope to post a picture of the finished Spitfire later today, though as I am about to be away for a fortnight I don't think I will have Bertie adequately painted to be part of the "build".

(Raymond) "'It's the early bird that catches the worm, you know,''... Not always. Sometimes he catches a slug—in the back of the neck,' contradicted Biggles.

Wanderer wrote:No problems here. I hope to post a picture of the finished Spitfire later today, though as I am about to be away for a fortnight I don't think I will have Bertie adequately painted to be part of the "build".

That's great Wanderer.

If there's one thing certain in this uncertain world it is that Algy won't go home without us.

I am looking forward to meeting those in the Forum attending Twyford this year.

Some quick information required:What train do I take from London (and which station would probably help)?How long will it take?Is there a taxi service in Twyford?

ThanksTraveller from the Antipodes (Biggles266)

Hooray! That's great, and I very much look forward to seeing you there. There is a direct train from Paddington to Twyford that takes 48 mins. It only takes a few minutes to walk from the station. I will check about a taxi service and get back to you. Twyford is a very small place.

If there's one thing certain in this uncertain world it is that Algy won't go home without us.

S666, you're more than welcome to use my photos, but don't expect me to add to them as the SE5a is still on top of the wardrobe in much the same state. I can only hope Wilks isn't in too much of a hurry for it...

Biggles266, I will have a car-load of people and books on the way to Twyford but once I've dumped them at the hall I can fetch you from Twyford station if that's any help.

Mostly I'll be acting as a runner, extra pair of hands, guide knowing answers (I hope!) and hopefully I'll get food and drink as well.Just hope we have the quiet service car as one has a very noisy generator / fan.I'll have the camera out as much as possible.

I was wondering if this year's meeting was in July as I'll be in the U.K. but alas it's this weekend.

There are two, VV,one held in April in Twyford, another held in Oct in Derby.

There is also an unofficial one in July when KK is coming over on her way home from Spain with her family. Tiff and her two boys, archie, S666 and myself will be at Kismet's too. It's perhaps that one you are thinking of.

The Decision to Survive - A good pilot is both born and made. The best would look upon his work as a combination of adventure and a serious mission. – Major General Sir Frederick Sykes

I was wondering if this year's meeting was in July as I'll be in the U.K. but alas it's this weekend.

There are two, VV,one held in April in Twyford, another held in Oct in Derby.

There is also an unofficial one in July when KK is coming over on her way home from Spain with her family. Tiff and her two boys, archie, S666 and myself will be at Kismet's too. It's perhaps that one you are thinking of.

Mostly I'll be acting as a runner, extra pair of hands, guide knowing answers (I hope!) and hopefully I'll get food and drink as well.Just hope we have the quiet service car as one has a very noisy generator / fan.I'll have the camera out as much as possible.

Sorry you won't be joining us, StoneRoad, but it sounds like you will have a marvellous time on the train.

If there's one thing certain in this uncertain world it is that Algy won't go home without us.

Mostly I'll be acting as a runner, extra pair of hands, guide knowing answers (I hope!) and hopefully I'll get food and drink as well.Just hope we have the quiet service car as one has a very noisy generator / fan.I'll have the camera out as much as possible.

Sorry you won't be joining us, StoneRoad, but it sounds like you will have a marvellous time on the train.

I hope your meeting was a success ... maybe next year I'll be able to join you ?Train went very well, Thanks ! - we did get the noisier service car and there were a couple of other incidents, but overall it was great fun.Unfortunately we needed to set off for home almost immediately the train got back, as the mother of a very close friend has died.

Thanks, Frecks and StoneRoad. Yes, It was a good day. Among the talks we had Lycaea talking about the Swedish Biggles cover artists and John Lester with 'What happens to the Villains?' One non-Forum member (yes, there are a few!) had brought along a recording of a Biggles radio interview he gave a while back for a Glasgow station. (It was good to hear sensible comments about Johns and Biggles, so often interviews get it all wrong.) Biggles266 very kindly did the presentation on World War 1 models - I spoke about Biggles and my other great childhood hero Matt Braddock. We were very pleased to have organizer Joy back with us this year. (Joy has organized the meetings for nearly 30 years and last year was the first time that she had been unable to attend.) I handle the programme and Joy does everything else. Joy gave a talk about our heroes' mothers, or the lack thereof and Richard asked 'Whodunnit?' There were also the usual quiz to which I actually knew some of the answers and raffle and a puzzle. Joy had worked her usual magic and produced a lovely sunny day for us after all the dismal and cold weather we had had. This is the cake we had to celebrate the RAF's Centenary - sorry for my inexpert picture that cut off the heading!

If there's one thing certain in this uncertain world it is that Algy won't go home without us.

Very interesting topics. As far as I know Algy was the only member of the team whose mother was mentioned in the books as being alive and well and rather interfering I was wondering if Biggles 266 had made it to the meeting.

Frecks wrote:Very interesting topics. As far as I know Algy was the only member of the team whose mother was mentioned in the books as being alive and well and rather interfering I was wondering if Biggles 266 had made it to the meeting.

Joy was talking about other mothers as well.Yes, it was great to see Biggles266 - we all enjoyed meeting with him.

If there's one thing certain in this uncertain world it is that Algy won't go home without us.